Welding apparatus



June 25, 1935. c DRAKE 2,005,912

WELDING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1931 Estes: C/Drake 7 I lwvzw-r-orkl A L 13 I6 WWM A-r-rowinul e Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT'OFFICE WELDING APPARATUS Estes C. Drake, Wheeling, W. Va. I Application April 27, 1931, Serial No. 533,223

16 Claims. (01. 219-10) This invention relates to welding apparatus nected to a terminal 25 and at its lower end and has for an object the provision of new and carrying 9 25, which also may be Waterimproved apparatus of this character. 4 cooled by any suitable means, not shown,

In the drawing accompanying this specificaing a grooved the hanger the terminal 25 tion and forming a part of th application I and the roller 26 constituting still another elec- 5 have shown, for purposes of ill t t Several trode member C of the apparatus. The roller forms which my inv nti may assume, and in 26 lies at a higher elevation than the rollers IS the drawing: and I6 and in a central position with reference Figure 1 is a fragmentary d elevational, part to the work, and carries a filler member 21, which sectional view of an mb i t of t invention, may be of the same material as the material of 10 Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view correspon which the pipe I9 is made, or any other suitable ing to the line 2-2 of Figure 1, material, preferably triangular in, cross-section, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View correspond riding in the groove in the rim of the roller 26, and t0 e l ne 33 of Figure 1, is adapted to be fed into the groove between the 35 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic layout of electrical meeting edges of the pipe equipment employed in connection with said em- The bar also Carries a longitudinally Spaced bodiment, while bracket 28, at the lower ends of which is a cutting Figures 5 through 8 di l diagrammatic disk 29, rotatably mounted upon an axle 30, the outs of different forms of electrical equipment umferential periphery 3| 01 th disk 29 being.

employed in connection with the invention. beveled for engagement with the meeting edges 20 The embodiment herein di l comprises a i 8 of the pipe is, and operable to out said edges bar in adapted to be supported in fixed position so that only small ac s 3 are actually in by any suitable means, not; h carrying a contact at the time the welding operation is percross bar H, to one end of which is secured a formedhanger l2, insulated from th cross b Although not shown it will be understood that 25 rying at its lower end a roller l3, which may be the various members of the welding appa a us water-cooled in any suitable manner, not shown, described may be adjustah y mfillnted in 5 W811 and at its upper end carryin a terminal member known manner to facilitate application to the It, the hanger I 2, roller l3 and terminal mem- Work, and if desired the roller 26 y be P 30 ber [4, providing one electrode member A of the tively driven, and the disk 29 also positively v- 3o apparatus; and adjacent the opposite end of en, preferably in a direction opposite to the travel the cross bar it is secured a hanger l5, insulated 0f the Workfrom the cross bar H, carrying at its lower end Referring to Figure 4 of the drawing, one form a roller it, which also may be water-cooled by Of electrical equipment adapted to cooperate with any suitable means, not shown, and at its upper t Welding apparatus is disclosed- In this 35 end carrying a terminal member H, the hanger ran men an rn n n l ph current is is, roller 86 and the terminal member I], t utilized, one line wire being indicated at 33 and gether providing another electrode member B of a e a and Connected in Parallel are two the apparatus. The hangers l2 and I5 are artransformers, one comprising a primary coil 35 o ranged so that the rollers I3 and II; are spaced and secondary coils 36 and 31 connected in series apart a predetermined distance, and are adapted y a c uct 8, e end of t co l 6 ead to engage opposite sides of the meeting edges 18 to the electrode A, while the opposite end of the of a pipe I9, carried by a forming machine 20 coil 31 leads to the electrode B; the other transof a well known type. former comprising a primary coil 39 and a sec- The cross bar II also carries a depending ondary coil 40 tapped in at the conductor 38, of 45 bracket 2i, having spaced legs carrying an axle more turns than both the coils 36 and 31, and 22 on which is mounted a smoothing wheel 23, leading to the electrode C. formed from material having low electrical and Due to this arrangement, in eiiect two circuits heat conductivity, such as carborundum, the are provided, one being made through the elecsmoothing wheel 23 being disposed between the trodes A and B, of one predetermined welding 50 hangers l2 and I5 and operable in amanner presvalue, adapt d to P s through the p p ently to appear. through the reduced surfaces 32 of the meeting The bar ill also carries a hanger 24, longitudiedges ill of the pipe l9, and suflicient to bring nally spaced from the hangers I 2 and IS, inthe temperature up to a point just short of fussulated from the bar H), at its upper end coning temperature, while the other circuit, of a 55 higher predetermined welding value, is made through the electrode C, through the filler member 21, and through the electrodes A and B, the higher welding value of this circuit resulting in fusing temperature in the filler member 21, melting, however, being delayed somewhat, or until the filler member 21 comes into contact withthe already highly heated meeting edges 18 of the pipe l9, so that the filler member 21 and the meeting edges l8 simultaneously fuse at contact.

Relative travel of the work and of the apparatus, in this instance the pipe I9 moving through the forming apparatus 20, causes the following operations to take place: the cutting disk 29 being first to enter the groove between the meeting edges l8 of the pipe l9 prepares the work in advance of welding, cleaning and reducing the meeting edges l8 so that only the small surfaces 32 remain in contact, which localizes and concentrates the heat during the welding operation; the

disk 29 also serves as a guide member as will be understood; the filler member 21 is fed in the groove provided by the meeting edges l8 of the pipe l9 while substantially at fusing temperature as before mentioned, is pressed into the groove by the smoothing wheel 23, fusion taking place as soon as contact is effected between the filler member 21 and the preheated edges l8 of the pipe, and the smoothing wheel 23- smooths the weld thus effected.

In Figure 5, the electrical equipment shown is identically similar to that described in connection with Figure 4 and similar reference characters will be employed to designate like parts of each; however, capacity, as indicated at 4|, is thrown into the circuit containing the coil 39, resulting in phase displacement of the electrical energy traversing the circuit through electrodes A and B and that traversing the circuit through electrode C and electrodes A and B. The different phase relation of the electrical energy traversing these circuits results in an increased stitching effect in the weld, providing marked efllciency in welding, and resulting in a weld of great mechanical strength.

The additional stitching effect of the different phase relation of the current traversing the welding circuits may be increased by the use of a three-phase hook-up such as that shown in Figure 6, wherein transformers are provided the primaries 42 and the secondaries 43 of'which are arranged in the well known Star-Delta formation, and the secondaries 43 connected to provide circuits through the electrodes A, B, and C as shown; for thepurpose of regulating the welding values of the respective circuits regulators 44 and 45 of any well known type, employing resistance, reactance or induction, may be employed.

In Figure 7* there is shown another threephase hook-up, wherein transformers are provided having primaries 46 and secondaries 4l arranged in the conventional Star-Star formation, and the secondaries 41 are connected to provide circuits through the electrodes A, B and C, as shown, a suitable regulator 48 being employed for controlling the relative welding values of the with any of the electrical circuits described, frequencies higher than standard may be employed for obtaining enhanced stitching" effect in the weld.

From the above description it will be appreciated that electrical energy is supplied to the two circuits through the electrodes A, B and C at different welding values, resulting in high welding efllciency; also electrical energy supplied to the welding circuits in displaced phase or polyphase relation, provides a multiple stitching effect in the weld, effects more rapid and localized heating and more rapid welding, more equally balances the load on generating and transforming equipment, assures more even temperatures through the passing of the current in three di-' rections at the point of welding, and in the case of pipes eliminates any necessity for applying high pressure to bring the meeting edges to be welded into close butting relation.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein disclosed accomplish at least the principal object of the invention; it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments disclosed, in addition to being particularly well adapted for welding the meeting edges of pipes, may also be vemployed for joining plates, Z-bars, angle bars, channel bars, and the like, and is further adapted for uses and purposes not herein particularly mentioned; it will also be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departin from the spirit thereof; accordingly it will be appreciated that the embodiments herein disclosedare illustrative only and the invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

L A method of welding, comprising: interposmg a filler strip between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; moving said work continuously relatively; progressively feeding said strip between said portions, during such movement; and causing current to flow between said portions, in an amount to heat said portions" to one temperature, and along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions, in an amount to heat said strip to a substantially different temperature.

2. A method of welding; comprising: interposlng a filler strip between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; moving said work continuously relatively; progressively feeding said strip between said portions, during such movement; and causing current to flow between said portions, in an amount to heat said portions to one temperature, and along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions, in an amount to heat said strip to a substantially higher temperature.

3. A method of welding, comprising: interposing a filler strin between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; applying potential between said portions, to cause current to flow between said portions in an amount to heat said portions to one temperature; and applying a substantially different potential between said strip and at least one of said portions, to cause current to flow therebetween in an amount to heat said strip to a substantialiy different temperature;

4. A method of welding, comprising: interposing a filler strip between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; applying potential between said portions, to cause current to flow between said portions in an amount to heat said portions to one temperature; and applying a substantially higher potential between said strip and at least one of said portions, to cause current to flow therebetween in an amount to heat said strip to a substantially higher temperature.

5. A method of welding, comprising: interposing a filler strip between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; moving said work continuously relatively; progressively feeding said strip between said portions, during such movement; applying potential to said portions to cause current to flow between said portions in an amount to heat said portions to one temperature; and applying a substantially different potential between said strip and at least one of said portions, to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and one or both of said portions in an amount to heat said strip to a substantially different temperature.

6. A method of welding, comprising: interposing a filler strip between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; moving said work continuously relatively; progressively feeding said strip between said portions, during such movement; applying potential to said portions, to cause current to flow between said portions in an amount to heat said portions to one temperature; and applying a substantially higher potential between said strip and at least one of said portions, to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and one or both of said portions in an amount to heat said strip to a substantially higher temperature.

7. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising: means for continuously moving said work relatively; means for progressively feeding said strip, between said portions, during the operation; and means connected to said portions and to said strip, connected to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to how along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions, in such respective amounts that said strip is heated to a temperature substantially difierent from that to which said portions are heated.

8. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising: means for continuously moving said work relatively; means for progressively feeding said strip, between said portions, during the operation; and means connected to said por tions and to said strip, connected to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions, in such relative amounts that said strip is heated to a temperature substantially higher than that to which said portions are heated.

9. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising means connected to said portions and to said strip, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to flow between said strip and at least one or said portions, imposing between said portions a potential substantially difl'erent from the potential imposed between said strip and said one or both portions, whereby said strip is heated to a temperature substantially different from that to which said portions are heated.

10. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising means connected to said portions and to said strip, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to flow between said strip and at least one 01' said portions, imposing between said portions a potential substantially lower than the potential imposed between said strip and said one or both portions, whereby said strip is heated to a temperature substantially higher than that to which said portions are heated.

11. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising: means for continuously moving said work relatively; means for progressively feeding said strip, between said portions, during the operation; and means connected to said portions and to said strip, connected to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions, imposing between said portions 9. potential substantially different from the potential imposed between said strip and said one or more portions, whereby said strip is heated to a temperature substantially different from that to which said portions are heated.

12. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising: means for continuously moving said work relatively; means for progressively feeding said strip, between said portions, during the operation; and means connected to said portions, and to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions, imposing between said portions a potential substantially lower than the potential imposed between said strip and said one or more portions, whereby said strip is heated to a temperature substantially higher than that to which said portions are heated. I 13. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising: means for continuously moving said work relatively; means for progressively feeding said strip, between said portions, during the operation; and means connected to said portions and to said strip, connected to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions.

14. A welding system, using a filler strip to be interposed between the edge portions of the work to be welded, and to furnish material for the weld, comprising: means for continuously moving said work relatively; means for progressively feeding said strip, between said portions, during the operation; and means connected to said portions and to said strip, connected to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow between said portions, and to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions, imposing between said portions a potential substantially diiierent from the potentialimposed between said strip and said one or more portions.

15. A method of welding, comprising: interposing a filler strip between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; moving said work continuously relatively; progressively feeding said strip between said portions, during such movement; and causing current to flow between said portions, and along said strip and between said strip and at least one of said portions.

16. A method of welding, comprising: interposing a filler strip between the edge portions of the work to be welded, to furnish material for the weld; moving said work continuously relatively;

progressively feeding said strip between said portions, during such movement; applying potential to said portions to cause current to flow between said portions; and applying a substantially difierent potential between said strip and at least one of said portions, to said strip at a point spaced from the welding point, to cause current to flow along said strip and between said strip and one or both of said portions.

ns'rns c. DRAKE. 15 

